Korea Tour, Day Trip from Seoul: Complete Guide to Nami Island, Chuncheon
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| Korea Tour, Nami Island Travel Guide |
Have you ever wondered while planning your trip to Korea, "Is there a gorgeous outdoor spot near Seoul that I can visit as a day trip?"
There are definitely times when you just want to escape the concrete jungle of the city, soak in wide-open nature, snap your next favorite photo for Instagram, and truly unwind. Today, I’ve put together a complete guide to Nami Island in Chuncheon—one of Korea’s most iconic and highly recommended destinations—covering everything from key highlights to public transportation tips!
🏯 What is Nami Island?
Located in Chuncheon, Nami Island is a picturesque green oasis floating serenely in the middle of the Bukhan River, beautiful in all four seasons. Originally, it only became an island when it rained, but with the construction of the Cheongpyeong Dam, it became a fully independent island. Famous as the primary filming location for the hit K-drama Winter Sonata (which sparked the global Hallyu wave), it remains an absolute must-visit spot for international travelers. |
| Winter Sonata Filming Location |
Standing on the ferry deck as flags from around the world fluttered overhead, feeling the cool river breeze while taking in the expansive blue sky and the distant Zip-wire tower gave me an instant rush of refreshment. The short voyage across the sparkling water toward Nami Island built a unique sense of excitement—almost like leaving daily life behind to step into a whole new country: the self-proclaimed "Naminara Republic."
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| Ferry Schedule & Ticket Info |
🎡 Ferry Schedule & Ticket Info
🔸 First Ferry: Departing Gapyeong Wharf 08:00 / Departing Nami Wharf 08:05
🔸 Last Ferry: Departing Gapyeong Wharf 21:00 / Departing Nami Wharf 21:05
🔸 Admission Fee: ₩19,000 (Adult standard rate / Includes round-trip ferry fare)
💡Check operating hours and admission fees for Nami Island in advance!
Official Nami Island WebsiteThe entire island is cultivated like a giant natural park, offering pink cherry blossoms in spring, lush green foliage in summer, vibrant autumn leaves, and a snowy wonderland in winter. Because it operates as an eco-cultural space where motorized vehicles are strictly banned, it is incredibly safe, peaceful, and easy to explore with strollers or young children.
📊 Top Highlights at a Glance
🔹Metasequoia Lane: Towering Metasequoia trees that form Nami Island’s signature photo spot.
🔹Songpa Ginkgo Tree Lane: A fairytale walkway covered in a golden carpet of ginkgo leaves during autumn.
🔹Central Pine Tree Lane: A charming path featuring cozy scenery and romantic night lighting.
💡Curious about opening hours and ticket prices? Click here to check in advance!
Nami Island Official Website📍Must-Visit Spots Inside the Island
🌲 Metasequoia & Cherry Blossom Walkways
As the iconic symbol of Nami Island, the grand Metasequoia and fir tree walkways were breathtaking from the moment I set eyes on them. The towering tree trunks stretching straight up toward the sky created a refreshing, majestic atmosphere that felt like stepping into a deep forest bath. Walking slowly while breathing in the fresh earthy scent and watching warm sunlight filter through the branches gave me a deep sense of clarity and pure healing.
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| Metasequoia Lane: The most popular path on Nami Island |
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| Cherry Blossom Lane, breathtakingly beautiful in spring |
🍂 Songpa Ginkgo Tree Lane
Among Nami Island’s many attractions, the absolute highlight of the autumn season is Songpa Ginkgo Tree Lane. The long row of ginkgo trees arched overhead to form a stunning golden tunnel. Every time I stepped softly onto the thick blanket of yellow leaves, the satisfying crunch beneath my feet brought the autumn romantic mood to life.
If you visit during peak fall (late October to early November), this is a non-negotiable stop. Stepping onto the dense layer of golden leaves truly feels like walking on a natural yellow carpet.
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| Songpa Ginkgo Tree Lane |
🌊 Riverside Walkway
Gazing at the soft autumn sunlight shimmering across the calm water while enjoying the cool river breeze makes the noise of the outside world fade away. Strolling leisurely with the colorful foliage-covered mountain slopes across the river as a backdrop filled every moment with peacefulness and poetic water-side vibes.
🎡Must-Do Activities
To truly experience Nami Island, I recommend trying out various activities rather than just walking around. Since the island is quite spacious, renting a bicycle or riding the cute Story Tour Train makes for an unforgettable experience.
🎡 Recommended Activity List
🔸Ride the Zip-wire onto the island: A thrilling 1.5-minute zipline experience gliding across the river from breathtaking heights straight into the island.
🔸Rent a Tandem / Family Bike: Feel the breeze as you zip along the island's outer scenic loop trail (Takes about 30–40 minutes).
🔸Try Snowman Steamed Buns & Charcoal-grilled Dakgalbi: Taste Nami Island's famous snowman-shaped sweet red bean buns and Chuncheon’s signature spicy marinated chicken (Dakgalbi) near the ferry dock.
🔸Handicraft Studio Experiences: Enjoy unique cultural workshops like pottery making or glass crafting to make your own custom souvenir.
🚌 Getting There & Public Transport
🚇 By Train / ITX-Cheongchun (From Seoul): Board the ITX-Cheongchun train at Cheongnyangni Station or Yongsan Station → Get off at Gapyeong Station (Approx. 55 mins).
🚌 By Bus (From Gapyeong Station): Take the Gapyeong City Tour Bus or local bus No. 10-4 right outside Gapyeong Station → Get off at Nami Island Ferry Dock (Approx. 10–15 mins).
🚕 By Taxi & Ferry: A taxi ride from Gapyeong Station to the ferry dock takes about 5 minutes (~₩6,000 KRW) / The ferry ride from the dock to Nami Island takes about 5–10 minutes.
💡Pro Tip for Easy Travel
Booking a direct shuttle bus departing from Myeongdong or Hongdae in Seoul is a fantastic alternative if you want to skip public transit transfers. Be sure to book your train tickets well in advance as they sell out quickly!
💡Key Takeaway
Nami Island gets extremely crowded on weekends and during the peak autumn foliage season. I strongly recommend taking an early morning ferry (between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM) to enter the island! It’s the only way to snap photos on an empty Metasequoia Lane before the crowds arrive.
📋 Pre-Trip Checklist
✅ Bring your Passport (Required to get the international visitor discount!)
✅ Comfortable Walking Shoes (You will be doing plenty of walking across the island)
✅ Book ITX Train Tickets in Advance (Use the official KORail app)
✅ Light Outerwear/Jacket (It can get chilly near the river when the wind blows)
📸 Honest Visit Review
Since autumn on Nami Island is world-famous for its foliage and forest trails, I set off with sky-high expectations. The moment I entered the island, the crisp autumn sky paired with the towering trees overhead took my breath away. |
| Nam-i Deunalmun Gate: The Main Entrance to Nami Island |
Walking slowly along the long paths lined with cherry and ginkgo trees felt like stepping into a scene straight out of a fairytale, especially with the subtle morning mist hovering through the forest. In that tranquil silence-punctuated only by the sound of rustling leaves beneath our feet and the soft breeze-every photo snapped with friends felt like a healing moment.
We captured endless dreamlike "life shots" amidst the ethereal atmosphere of Songpa Ginkgo Tree Lane.
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| Songpa Ginkgo Tree Lane |
Throughout our walk along the island's trails, we also encountered animals roaming freely—from giant ostriches walking leisurely beyond the low fences to cute baby rabbits twitching their ears on the dirt paths near the park benches! Being able to breathe and interact so closely with wildlife in nature was incredibly charming.
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| Animals of Nami Island: Rabbits, Sparrows, Ducks, and Ostriches |
At the iconic Metasequoia Lane, I felt an overwhelming sense of freshness alongside its majestic scale. Walking beneath the cool shade cast by the trees stretching straight into the sky instantly cleared my cluttered thoughts. Just strolling leisurely while catching the warm autumn sunlight filtering through the tree trunks was pure relaxation.
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| Metasequoia Lane: The most popular path on Nami Island |
Walking deeper into the island, we stumbled upon a serene traditional Korean garden pond-the most peaceful spot of the entire trip.
Covered in a dense layer of green lotus leaves, with a cozy thatched-roof gazebo and traditional wooden bridge in the background, it looked like an oriental landscape painting come to life. Watching the clear blue sky and fluffy clouds reflect onto the calm ripples of the pond brought pure tranquility to my mind.
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| The Beautiful Traditional Korean Garden on Nami Island |
Adjacent to the pond, walking along the retro railway track used by the Story Tour Train was another unique highlight. The nostalgic vibe of a railway cutting through the deep forest made our stroll feel even more relaxed and timeless.
💡Book your tickets online in advance to enjoy discounted admission rates!
Book Discounted Nami Island Tickets Online